The best bars, clubs and live music venues in Whistler, British Columbia, for
all your après needs

There's not so much raucous, in-your-boots, on-the-tables action on the mountain, but there is a lively scene in town once the lifts close around 4pm. Be sure to try the local beers: rye whisky and ginger beer is a Canadian classic and cocktails by the pitcher are extremely good value.

In your boots The first port of call is the terrace of the Garibaldi Lift Company above the Whistler Village Gondola building, where jugs of beer and margaritas circulate with alarming frequency. There’s a great buzz and good live music. Or if you are staying at Upper Village, head to Merlin’s at the bottom of the Wizard Express chair, for beer by the pitcher, nachos and rock n’ roll. At Creekside, Dusty’s is the original Whistler pub that opened in 1979, named after a stuffed horse that use to have pride of place in the pub, but later mysteriously disappeared.

The Brewhouse in Whistler, which has a model train that runs around the interior, is also worth a shout.

Pre-dinner drinks For a more sedate, sophisticated establishment before dinner, head to Fifty Two 80 at the Four Seasons Resort in Upper Village. Named after the vertical drop on Blackcomb mountain, this is the place to indulge in a martini or two.

The Belvedere Vodka Ice Room is the coolest place in town Photo: Mike Crane/Tourism Whistler

The Mallard Lounge at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler is perfect for après with mountain views and a sizzling log fire. There’s live music, cocktails and a range of signature drinks. Choose from a range of 50 vodkas from around the world, including ones distilled from rye, wheat, soya and even hemp seeds, at the Belvedere Vodka Ice Room at the Bearfoot Bistro in Whistler Village, where the temperature is a mean – 32°C. Fortunately, goose down parkas are handed out to keep off the chill.

The Champagne Lounge, also in the Bearfoot Bistro, serves champagne and oysters from après until dinner.

Clubs For late-night dancing, Maxx Fish (maxxfish.com) in Whistler Village offers music from the likes of DJ Fidel Ca$hflow (yep), as well as live bands and comedy. Tommy Africa's Nightclub (tommyafricas.com) serves up top 40 hits and hip hop until 2am, and recently renovated Moe Joe's (moejoes.com) boasts free pool all night, a huge dance floor and luxurious VIP booths. Buffalo Bill's has live bands and djs and pool and big screen TVs for sport.

Events The World Ski and Snowboard Festival, the largest annual wintersports and music festival in North America, is held in Whistler every year, usually in April. The Canadian Alpine Championships that includes para-alpine, alpine and ski cross races, takes places on Whistler mountain in March. The Whistler Cup, the top alpine racing festival for youngsters takes part in April.